BOOK IV

Chapter 145,266 wordsPublic domain

_97. Judas_

Hit wes upon a Scere-thorsday[590] that ure loverd[591] aros; Ful milde were the wordès he spec to Judas.

‘Judas, thou most to Jurselem, oure mete for to bugge[592]; Thritti platen[593] of selver thou bere up othi rugge[594].

III

‘Thou comest fer ithe brode stret, fer ithe brode strete, Summe of thine tunesmen[595] ther thou meist i-mete.’

Imette[596] wid is soster, the swikele[597] wimon: ‘Judas, thou were wrthè[598] me stende the wid ston[599], For the false prophete that tou bilevest upon.’

‘Be stille, leve[600] soster, thin herte the to-breke! Wiste min loverd Crist, ful wel he wolde be wreke[601].’

FOOTNOTES:

[590] Scere-thorsday = Thursday before Easter.

[591] ure loverd = our lord.

[592] bugge = buy.

[593] platen = plates, i. e. coins, pieces.

[594] rugge = ridge, back.

[595] tunesmen = townsmen.

[596] Imette = being met.

[597] swikele = treacherous.

[598] wrthè = worthy.

[599] me stende, &c. = men stoned thee.

[600] leve = dear.

[601] wreke = avenged.

_98. St. Stephen and King Herod_

Saint Stephen was a clerk In King Herod’s hall, And servèd him of bread and cloth As every king befall.

Stephen out of kitchen came With boar’s head on hand, He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bethlehem stand.

III

He cast adown the boar’s head And went into the hall; ‘I forsake thee, Herod, And thy workès all.

‘I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workès all, There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all.’--

‘What aileth thee, Stephen? What is thee befall? Lacketh thee either meat or drink In King Herod’s hall?’--

‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drink In King Herod’s hall; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all.’--

VII

‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art wode[602] or ’ginnest to brede[603]? Lacketh thee either gold or fee, Or any rich weed[604]?’--

VIII

‘Lacketh me neither gold ne fee Ne none rich weed; There is a child in Bethlehem born Shall helpen us at our need.’--

‘That is all so sooth, Stephen, All so sooth, I-wys, As this capon crowè shall That li’th here in my dish.’

That word was not so soon said, That word in that hall, The capon crew _Christus natus est_ Among the lordès all.

‘Risit[605] up, my tormentors, By two and all by one, And leadit Stephen out of this town, And stonit him with stone.’

XII

Tooken they Stephen And stoned him in the way; And therefore is his even On Christe’s own day.

FOOTNOTES:

[602] wode = mad.

[603] brede = become (mad).

[604] weed = clothing.

[605] Risit, leadit, stonit = imperatives.

_99. The Maid and the Palmer_

The maid she went to the well to washe, Dew fell off her lily-white fleshe.

White she washte, and white she rong[606], White she hang’d on the hazel wand.

III

There came an old palmer by the way, Says, ‘God speed thee well, thou fair may.’

‘Has tow either cup or can, To give an old palmer drink therein?’

Says, ‘I have neither cup nor can, To give an old palmer drink therein.’

‘But an thy leman[607] come from Rome, Cups and cans thou wilt find soon.’

VII

She swore by God and good Saint John Leman she had never none.

VIII

Says, ‘Peace, fair maid, you are forsworne, Ninè children you have borne.

‘Three were buryed under thy bed’s head, Other three under thy brewing lead[608].

‘Other three play on yon greene; Count, maid, and there be nine.’--

‘But I hope you are the good old man That all the world beleeves upon.

XII

‘Old palmer, I pray thee, Penaunce that thou wilt give to me.’--

XIII

‘Penaunce I can give thee none But seven year to be a stepping-stone.

XIV

Other seven a clapper in a bell, Other seven to lead an ape in hell.

When thou hast thy penaunce done, Then thou’st come a mayden home.’

FOOTNOTES:

[606] rong = wrung.

[607] leman = lover.

[608] lead = vat.

_100. The Falcon_

_Lully, lulley! lully, lulley! The faucon hath borne my make[609] away!_

He bare him up, he bare him down, He bare him into an orchard brown.

III

In that orchard there was an halle, That was hangèd with purple and pall[610].

And in that hall there was a bed, It was hangèd with gold sa red.

And in that bed there li’th a knight, His woundès bleeding day and night.

At that bed’s foot there li’th a hound, Licking the blood as it runs down.

VII

By that bed-side kneeleth a may[611], And she weepeth both night and day.

VIII

And at that bed’s head standeth a stone, _Corpus Christi_ written thereon.

_Lully, lulley! lully, lulley! The faucon hath borne my make away._

FOOTNOTES:

[609] make = mate.

[610] pall = fine cloth.

[611] may = maiden.

_101. The Cherry-Tree Carol_

_i_

Joseph was an old man, And an old man was he, When he wedded Mary In the land of Galilee.

Joseph and Mary walk’d Through an orchard good, Where was cherries and berries So red as any blood.

III

Joseph and Mary walk’d Through an orchard green, Where was berries and cherries As thick as might be seen.

O then bespoke Mary, So meek and so mild, ‘Pluck me one cherry, Joseph, For I am with child.’

O then bespoke Joseph With words so unkind, ‘Let him pluck thee a cherry That brought thee with child.’

O then bespoke the babe Within his mother’s womb, ‘Bow down then the tallest tree For my mother to have some.’

VII

Then bow’d down the highest tree Unto his mother’s hand: Then she cried, ‘See, Joseph, I have cherries at command!’

VIII

O then bespake Joseph-- ‘I have done Mary wrong; But cheer up, my dearest, And be not cast down.

‘O eat your cherries, Mary, O eat your cherries now; O eat your cherries, Mary, That grow upon the bough.’

Then Mary pluck’d a cherry As red as the blood; Then Mary went home With her heavy load.

_ii_

As Joseph was a-walking, He heard an angel sing: ‘This night shall be born Our heavenly King.

XII

‘He neither shall be born In housen nor in hall, Nor in the place[612] of Paradise, But in an ox’s stall.

XIII

‘He neither shall be clothèd In purple nor in pall[613], But all in fair linen, As were babies all.

XIV

‘He neither shall be rock’d In silver nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle That rocks on the mould.

‘He neither shall be christen’d In white wine nor red, But with fair spring water With which we were christenèd.

_iii_

XVI

Then Mary took her young son And set him on her knee; ‘I pray thee now, dear child, Tell how this world shall be.’--

XVII

‘O I shall be as dead, mother, As the stones in the wall; O the stones in the street, mother, Shall mourn for me all.

XVIII

‘And upon a Wednesday My vow I will make, And upon Good Friday My death I will take.

XIX

‘Upon Easter-day, mother, My uprising shall be; O the sun and the moon, mother, Shall both rise with me!’

FOOTNOTES:

[612] place = palace.

[613] pall = fine cloth.

_102. The Carnal[614] and the Crane_

As I pass’d by a river side, And there as I did reign[615], In argument I chanced to hear A Carnal and a Crane.

The Carnal said unto the Crane, ‘If all the world should turn, Before we had the Father, But now we have the Son!

III

‘From whence does the Son come? From where and from what place?’-- He said, ‘In a manger, Between an ox and an ass!’

‘I pray thee,’ said the Carnal, ‘Tell me before thou go’st, Was not the mother of Jesus Conceived by the Holy Ghost?’--

‘She was the purest Virgin, And the cleanest from sin; She was the handmaid of our Lord, And mother of our King.’--

‘Where is the golden cradle That Christ was rockèd in? Where are the silken sheets That Jesus was wrapt in?’--

VII

‘A manger was the cradle That Christ was rockèd in; The provender the asses left So sweetly he slept on.

VIII

‘There was a star in the West land, So bright did it appear Into King Herod’s chamber, And where King Herod were.

‘The Wise Men soon espied it, And told the king on high, A princely babe was born that night No king could e’er destroy.

‘If this be true, King Herod said, As thou tellest unto me, This roasted cock that lies in the dish Shall crow full fences[616] three.

‘The cock soon freshly feathered was By the work of God’s own hand, And then three fences crowèd he In the dish where he did stand.

XII

‘Rise up, rise up, you merry men all, See that you ready be, All children under two years old Now slain they all shall be.

XIII

‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary, that was so pure, They travelled into Egypt, As you shall find it sure.

XIV

‘And when they came to Egypt’s land, Amongst those fierce wild beasts, Mary, she being weary, Must needs sit down to rest.

‘Come sit thee down, says Jesus, Come sit thee down by me, And thou shalt see how these wild beasts Do come and worship me.

XVI

‘First came the lovely lion, Which Jesu’s grace did spring, And of the wild beasts in the field, The lion shall be the king.

XVII

‘We’ll choose our virtuous princes, Of birth and high degree, In every sundry nation, Where’er we come and see.

XVIII

‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary, that was unknown, They travelled by a husbandman, Just while his seed was sown.

XIX

‘God speed thee, man! said Jesus, Go fetch thy ox and wain, And carry home thy corn again, Which thou this day hast sown.

‘The husbandman fell on his knees, Even before his face; Long time hast thou been looked for, But now thou art come at last.

XXI

‘And I myself do now believe Thy name is Jesus called; Redeemer of mankind thou art, Though undeserving all.

XXII

‘The truth, man, thou hast spoken, Of it thou may’st be sure, For I must lose my precious blood For thee and thousands more.

XXIII

‘If any one should come this way, And inquire for me alone, Tell them that Jesus passèd by, As thou thy seed did sow.

XXIV

‘After that there came King Herod, With his train so furiously, Inquiring of the husbandman, Whether Jesus passèd by.

XXV

‘Why, the truth it must be spoke, And the truth it must be known, For Jesus passèd by this way When my seed was sown.

XXVI

‘But now I have it reapen, And some laid on my wain, Ready to fetch and carry Into my barn again.

XXVII

‘Turn back, says the Captain, Your labour and mine’s in vain, It’s full three-quarters of a year Since he his seed has sown.

XXVIII

‘So Herod was deceivèd By the work of God’s own hand, And further he proceeded Into the Holy Land.

XXIX

‘There’s thousands of children young, Which for his sake did die,-- Do not forbid those little ones, And do not them deny.

XXX

‘The truth now I have spoken, And the truth now I have shown Even the blessed Virgin, She’s now brought forth a Son.’

FOOTNOTES:

[614] Carnal = crow.

[615] reign = run.

[616] fences = times.

_103. Jolly Wat_

_Can I not sing but ‘Hoy’, Whan the joly shepard made so much joy?_

The shepard upon a hill he sat; He had on him his tabard[617] and his hat, His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat[618]; His name was callèd Joly Joly Wat, For he was a gud herdés boy. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

The shepard upon a hill was laid; His dog unto his girdell was taid[619]; He had not slept but a litill braid[620], But ‘_Gloria in excelsis_’ was to him said. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

III

The shepard on a hill he stode; Round about him his shepe they yode[621]; He put his hond under his hode[622], He saw a star as rede as blode. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

The shepard said anon right, ‘I will go see yon ferly[623] sight, Whereas the angel singeth on hight, And the star that shineth so bright.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

‘Now farewell, Mall, and also Will! For my love go ye all still Unto I cum again you till, And evermore, Will, ring well thy bell.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

‘Now must I go there Crist was born; Farewell! I cum again to-morn. Dog, kepe well my shepe fro the corn, And warn well “Warroke” when I blow my horn!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

VII

Whan Wat to Bedlem cumen was, He swet, he had gone faster than a pace; He found Jesu in a simpell place, Betwen an ox but and an asse. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

VIII

‘Jesu, I offer to thee here my pipe, My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip; Home to my felowes now will I skip, And also look unto my shepe.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

‘Now farewell, mine owne herdesman Wat!’-- ‘Yea, for God, lady, even so I hat[624]; Lull well Jesu in thy lap, And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

‘Now may I well both hope and sing, For I have bene at Cristes bering; Home to my felowes now will I fling. Crist of heven to his bliss us bring!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.

FOOTNOTES:

[617] tabard = short coat.

[618] flagat = flask.

[619] taid = tied.

[620] braid = time.

[621] yode = went.

[622] hode = hood.

[623] ferly = marvellous.

[624] hat = am hight, called.

_104. I Saw Three Ships_

As I sat under a sycamore tree, --A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree, I looked me out upon the sea On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

I saw three ships a-sailing there, --A-sailing there, a-sailing there, Jesu, Mary and Joseph they bare On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

III

Joseph did whistle and Mary did sing, --Mary did sing, Mary did sing, And all the bells on earth did ring For joy our Lord was born.

O they sail’d in to Bethlehem! --To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem; Saint Michael was the sterèsman, Saint John sate in the horn[625].

And all the bells on earth did ring --On earth did ring, on earth did ring: ‘Welcome be thou Heaven’s King, On Christ’s Sunday at morn!’

FOOTNOTES:

[625] horn = prow.

_105. The Twelve Good Joys_

The first good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of one, To see her own Son Jesus To suck at her breast bone; To suck at her breast bone, good man, And blessèd may he be, Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, To all eternity.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of two, To see her own son Jesus To make the lame to go; To make the lame to go, good man, &c.

III

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of three; To see her own Son Jesus To make the blind to see; To make the blind to see, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of four, To see her own Son Jesus To read the Bible o’er; To read the Bible o’er, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of five, To see her own son Jesus To raise the dead alive; To raise the dead alive, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had. It was the joy of six, To see her own Son Jesus To wear the crucifix; To wear the crucifix, good man, &c.

VII

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of seven, To see her own Son Jesus To wear the crown of Heaven; To wear the crown of Heaven, good man, &c.

VIII

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of eight, To see our blessèd Saviour Turn darkness into light; Turn darkness into light, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of nine, To see our blessèd Saviour Turn water into wine; Turn water into wine, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of ten, To see our blessèd Saviour To write without a pen; To write without a pen, good man, &c.

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of eleven, To see our blessèd Saviour To show the gates of Heaven; To show the gates of Heaven, good man, &c.

XII

The next good joy our Mary had, It was the joy of twelve, To see our blessèd Saviour Shut close the gates of hell; Shut close the gates of hell, good man, And blessèd may he be, Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, To all eternity.

_106. The Angel Gabriel_

The Angel Gabriel from God Was sent to Galilee, Unto a Virgin fair and free, Whose name was called Mary: And when the Angel thither came, He fell down on his knee, And looking up in the Virgin’s face, He said, ‘All hail, Mary!’ Then, sing we all, both great and small, Noël, Noël, Noël; We may rejoice to hear the voice Of the Angel Gabriel.

Mary anon looked him upon, And said, ‘Sir, what are ye? I marvel much at these tidings Which thou hast brought to me. Married I am unto an old man, As the lot fell unto me; Therefore, I pray, depart away, For I stand in doubt of thee.’ Then, sing, &c.

III

‘Mary,’ he said, ‘be not afraid, But do believe in me: The power of the Holy Ghost Shall overshadow thee; Thou shalt conceive without any grief, As the Lord told unto me; God’s own dear Son from Heaven shall come And shall be born of thee.’ Then, sing, &c.

This came to pass as God’s will was, Even as the Angel told. About midnight an Angel bright Came to the Shepherds’ fold, And told them then both where and when Born was the child, our Lord, And all along this was their song, ‘All glory be given to God.’ Then, sing, &c.

Good people all, both great and small, The which do hear my voice, With one accord let’s praise the Lord, And in our hearts rejoice; Like sister and brother, let’s love one another Whilst we our lives do spend, Whilst we have space let’s pray for grace, And so let my Carol end. Then, sing, &c.

_107. The Three Kings_

Now is Christëmas y-come, Father and Son together in one, Holy Ghost us be on In fere-a[626]; God send us a good New Year-a!

I would you sing, for and I might, Of a Child is fair in sight; His mother him bare this endris[627] night So still-a, And as it was his will-a.

III

There came three Kings from Galilee Into Bethlehem, that fair citie, To seek to Him that e’er should be By right-a Lord and king and knight-a.

As they came forth with their off’ring, They met with Herod that moody king; He askèd them of their coming This tide-a, And this to them he said-a.

‘Of whence be ye, you Kingès three?’-- ‘Of the East, as you may see, To seek to Him that should ever be By right-a Lord and king and knight-a.’--

‘When you at this Child have been, Come you home this way again; Tell me the sight that you have seen; I pray-a, Go you none other way-a.’

VII

They took their leave both old and ying[628] Then of Herod that moody king; They went forth with their offering By light-a Of the star that shone so bright-a.

VIII

Till they came into the place Where Jesu and his mother was; Offer’d they up with great solace In fere-a Gold, incense and myrrh-a.

When they had their offering made As the Holy Ghost them bade, Then they were both merry and glad And light-a; It was a good fair sight-a.

Anon, as on their way they went, The Father of heaven an angel sent To these three kings that made present This tide-a, And this to them he said-a:--

‘My Lord hath warn’d you every one By Herod king you go not home, For an you do he will you slone[629] And ’stroy-a, And hurt you wonderly-a.’

XII

So forth they went another way Through the might of God his lay[630], As the angel to them did say, Full right-a; It was a good fair sight-a.

XIII

When they came home to their countrie, Glad and blithe they were all three Of the sight that they had see; By dene-a[631] The company was clean-a.

XIV

Kneel we now here a-down; Pray we in good devotion To the King of great renown, Of grace-a In heaven to have a place-a.

FOOTNOTES:

[626] In fere = in company.

[627] endris = last.

[628] ying = young.

[629] slone = slay.

[630] lay = law.

[631] By dene = at once, or all together.

_108. The Innocents_

Mark this song, for it is true, For it is true as clerkès tell: In old time strange things came to pass, Great wonder and great marvel was In Israel.

There was one Octavian, Octavian of Rome Emperour, As bookès old doe specify, Of all the wide world truëly He was lord and governour.

III

The Jews that time lackèd a king, They lackèd a king to guide them well, The Emperour of power and might, Chose one Herod against all right, In Israel.

This Herod then was King of Jews Was King of Jews, and he no Jew. Forsooth he was a Paynim born, Wherefore on faith it may be sworn He reignèd King untrue.

By prophecy one Isaï, One Isaï at least did tell A child should come (wondrous news) That should be born true King of Jews In Israel.

This Herod knew one born should be, One born should be of true linàge, That should be right heritour; For he but by the Emperour Was made by usurpage.

VII

Wherefore of thought this King Herod, This King Herod in great fear fell, For all the days most in his mirth, Ever he fearèd Christ his birth In Israel.

VIII

The time came it pleasèd God, It pleasèd God so to come to pass, For man’s soul indeed His blessed Son was born with speed As his will was.

Tidings came to King Herod, To King Herod, and did him tell, That one born forsooth is he, Which lord and king of all shall be In Israel.

Herod then raged as he were wode[632], As he were wode of this tidìng, And sent for all his scribès sure, Yet would he not trust the Scripture, Nor of their counselling.

Then this was the conclusion, The conclusion of his counsèl; To send unto his knights anon To slay the children every one In Israel.

XII

This cruel king this tyranny, This tyranny did put in ure[633]; Between a day and years two All men-children he did slew, Of Christ for to be sure.

XIII

Yet Herod miss’d his cruel prey, His cruel prey as was God’s will; Joseph with Mary then did flee; With Christ to Egypt gone was she From Israel.

XIV

All the while these tyrànts, These tyrànts would not convert, But innocents ying[634] That lay sucking, They thrust to the heart.

This Herod sought the children ying, The children ying, with courage fell, But in doing this vengeànce His own son was slain by chance In Israel.

XVI

Alace! I think the mothers were woe, The mothers were woe, it was great skill[635]: What motherly pain To see them slain In cradles lying still!

XVII

But God Himself hath them elect, Hath them elect, in heaven to dwell: For they were bathèd in their blood, For their Baptism forsooth it stood In Israel.

XVIII

Alace! again what hearts had they, What hearts had they those babes to kill! With swords when they them caught, In cradles they lay and laught, And never thought ill.

FOOTNOTES:

[632] wode = mad.

[633] ure = practice.

[634] ying = young.

[635] skill = reason.

_109. Dives and Lazarus_

As it fell out upon a day, Rich Dives he made a feast, And he invited all his friends And gentry of the best.

Then Lazarus laid him down and down, And down at Dives’ door; ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, Bestow upon the poor!’--

III

‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my door; No meat nor drink will I give thee, Nor bestow upon the poor.’

Then Lazarus laid him down and down. And down at Dives’ wall, ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, Or with hunger starve I shall!’--

‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my wall; No meat nor drink will I give thee, But with hunger starve you shall.’

Then Lazarus laid him down and down, And down at Dives’ gate: ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, For Jesus Christ his sake!’--

VII

‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my gate; No meat nor drink will I give thee, For Jesus Christ his sake.’

VIII

Then Dives sent out his merry men, To whip poor Lazarus away; They had no power to strike a stroke, But flung their whips away.

Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs, To bite him as he lay; They had no power to bite at all, But lickèd his sores away.

As it fell out upon a day, Poor Lazarus sicken’d and died; Then came two angels out of heaven His soul therein to guide.

‘Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus, And go along with me; For you’ve a place prepared in heaven, To sit on an angel’s knee.’

XII

As it fell out upon a day, Rich Dives sicken’d and died; Then came two serpents out of hell, His soul therein to guide.

XIII

‘Rise up, rise up, brother Dives, And go with us to see A dismal place, prepared in hell, To sit on a serpent’s knee.’

XIV

Then Dives look’d up with his eyes, And saw poor Lazarus blest: ‘Give me one drop of water, brother Lazarus, To quench my flaming thirst.

‘Oh had I as many years to abide As there are blades of grass, Then there would be an end, but now Hell’s pains will ne’er be past!

XVI

‘Oh was I now but alive again, The space of one half hour! Oh that I had my peace secure! Then the devil should have no power.’

_110. The Holy Well_

As it fell out one May morning, And upon one bright holiday, Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother, If he might go to play.

‘To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go, And to play pray get you gone; And let me hear of no complaint At night when you come home.’

III

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town, As far as the Holy Well, And there did see as fine children As any tongue can tell.

He said, ‘God bless you every one, And your bodies Christ save and see: Little children, shall I play with you, And you shall play with me?’

But they made answer to him, ‘No: They were lords and ladies all; And he was but a maiden’s child, Born in an ox’s stall.’

Sweet Jesus turnèd him around, And he neither laughed nor smiled, But the tears came trickling from his eyes To be but a maiden’s child.

VII

Sweet Jesus turnèd him about, To his mother’s dear home went he, And said, ‘I have been in yonder town, As far as you can see.

VIII

‘I have been down in yonder town As far as the Holy Well, There did I meet as fine children As any tongue can tell.

‘I bid God bless them every one, And their bodies Christ save and see: Little children, shall I play with you, And you shall play with me?

‘But they made answer to me, No: They were lords and ladies all; And I was but a maiden’s child, Born in an ox’s stall.’--

‘Though you are but a maiden’s child, Born in an ox’s stall, Thou art the Christ, the King of heaven, And the Saviour of them all.

XII

‘Sweet Jesus, go down to yonder town As far as the Holy Well, And take away those sinful souls, And dip them deep in hell.’

XIII

‘Nay, nay,’ sweet Jesus said, ‘Nay, nay, that may not be, For there are too many sinful souls Crying out for the help of me.’

_111. The Seven Virgins_

All under the leaves and the leaves of life I met with virgins seven, And one of them was Mary mild, Our Lord’s mother of Heaven.

‘O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids, All under the leaves of life? Come tell, come tell, what seek you All under the leaves of life?’

III

‘We’re seeking for no leaves, Thomas, But for a friend of thine; We’re seeking for sweet Jesus Christ, To be our guide and thine.’

‘Go down, go down, to yonder town, And sit in the gallery, And there you’ll see sweet Jesus Christ Nail’d to a big yew-tree.’

So down they went to yonder town As fast as foot could fall, And many a grievous bitter tear From the virgins’ eyes did fall.

‘O peace, Mother, O peace, Mother, Your weeping doth me grieve: I must suffer this,’ He said, ‘For Adam and for Eve

VII

‘O Mother, take you John Evangelist All for to be your son, And he will comfort you sometimes, Mother, as I have done.’

VIII

‘O come, thou John Evangelist, Thou’rt welcome unto me; But more welcome my own dear Son, Whom I nursed on my knee.’

Then He laid his head on His right shoulder. Seeing death it struck Him nigh-- ‘The Holy Ghost be with your soul, I die, Mother dear, I die.’

O the rose, the gentle rose, And the fennel that grows so green! God give us grace in every place To pray for our king and queen.

Furthermore for our enemies all Our prayers they should be strong: Amen, good Lord; your charity Is the ending of my song.